European Wins Western States 100

Americans lose title for the first time

On Sunday, Spain's Kilian Jornet became the first non-American man to win California's Western States 100, perhaps the most prestigious ultra race in the United States. Jornet ran 15:34, finishing four minutes ahead of Western States novice Mike Wolfe after taking a two-mile detour. Wolfe, from Bozeman, Montana, was the only American man to finish among the top five. Jornet has emerged as the world's top ultra trail runner and was competing at Western States for only the second time. In 2010, he led the race through mile 80 but became dehydrated and eventually finished third. Earlier this month, Jornet set a speed record up Mount Olympus, in Greece. An American man has won Western States every year since it was founded in 1974. Alaska's Geoff Roes set the course record of 15:07 in 2010 and, until he dropped out at 55 miles this year, was undefeated in each of the eight 100-mile races he had contested. Ellie Greenwood, of Canada, beat top Americans Nikki Kimball and Kami Semick to win her first title in 17:55.